Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Headaches: What Users Say

• Tru...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2020

"These replies are so bad for no reason. I've been taking this birth control for almost a year and haven't had any side effects whatsoever: no weight gain, no babies, no headaches, no weird bleeding, no bloating... nothing. This birth control is working out great for me."

• Fox...
• February 20, 2019

For Birth Control "So I’ve been on Vienva for 4 months now. When I barely started this birth control, I was scared and I searched it up on here, and I saw the horrible reviews. So I talked to my friends about it, and they told me that people are most likely to review when they have a bad experience with something. And it’s true because if you’re having a good time with a medication, you don’t ever consider going and reviewing it. So I decided to give it a try, at least for a couple of months. The first month, I experienced moodiness, headaches, and nausea. I wasn’t surprised because I was taking hormones, and that’s what hormones can do. My withdrawal bleeds are shorter (3-4 days instead of 5-7). My experience has been mostly positive! You never know until you try :) I hope I helped someone who’s about to start on birth control!"

• KD2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2022

For Birth Control "I have had a great experience with this medication so far. I started Aviane (Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.1mg/0.02mg) a little over a month ago. I was prescribed by a telehealth care provider and was initially very skeptical because of all of the negative reviews here, but so far so good! I did get bloated the first 2-3 weeks and gained like 4 lbs in water weight, but I drank lots of water and ate clean and exercised regularly; now I am at my normal weight again. The first week I started, I did get some headaches, but nothing too bad. During the placebo week, I decided to skip the placebo pills and move on to my next pack to skip my period, but I started bleeding anyway and bled for about 10 days. I know that breakthrough bleeding is one of the side effects, so I was not too alarmed. My sex drive has been way better and my mood swings have kind of settled down. Please do not let these reviews scare you; try it for yourself. Each body is unique and reacts differently."

• Ks ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 22, 2020

For Birth Control "My daughter has been on Sronyx for years. Started having a headache and then had a really bad seizure. She is now on her 17th day on life support. It turns out that a blood clot from her birth control went to her brain. I pray that she makes it through this horrible situation, but I want everyone to realize the dangers of this pill."

• I...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 27, 2013

For Birth Control "When I first started taking birth control, I was started on Aviane, and I really loved it. I lost weight, and I went from an A cup bra to a C cup bra in just 2 months. After a year or 2, I got switched to Lessina, and I didn't like it! Got horrible headaches, gained weight, and cramps were horrible. After 2 years of Lessina, I begged to be switched back to Aviane, and now only after 2 months of taking it, I have lost 11 lbs, and the cramps and headaches are gone. I do get tender breasts while on my period, but I’d rather have tender breasts and moodiness and cramps! Oh, and my sex drive is through the roof!"

• Cob...
• July 4, 2019

For Birth Control "Update from May review: I really love this Vienva pill. Out of all similar ones, this one is closest to Lutera. I did have some breakthrough spotting my 1st pack due to switching from a minipill. Once I had that 7-day withdrawal bleed, my body reset like the nurse said, and no more bleeding on active pills. I keep my pill pack in my wallet too, with this being a low dose. My periods start 2.5 days into the sugar pills and are 6 days total, with my 3rd day being semi-heavy to medium and the rest light flow. I do get overly tired and moody with headaches 3 days before I start my period. But no angry random mood swings all month like some pills. Skin stays mostly clear except for a couple of pimples before my period. Might have lost a few pounds too. My boyfriend and I both love that my sex drive is up and that this pill has given me pregnancy protection. This pill is worth a fair shot. If a pill doesn't agree with you after 2-3 months, call your ob and switch. I have been through this many times myself."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I saw a lot of negative reviews, but gave it a go. I had a few headaches and crying spells; however, after my body adjusted, I’m completely content. Don’t be too scared and try it once your period starts. I started to wear a pad after the brown discharge (breakthrough bleeding) started, but that’s the worst it’s gotten. Expect some bloating, do your research, and stick with what your body accepts. Stay safe."

• aej...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2021

"IDK who needs to hear this, but this BC is the reason you’re not feeling like yourself. I have been taking Larissia for 8 months. At first, I was only experiencing painful, constant headaches and increased appetite, but as time went on, the side effects worsened, and TBH, I was in denial and didn’t want to switch because my periods are so light and only last 3 days. But it’s not worth how fatigued, angry, uncontrollable, depressed, anxious, and emotional I feel. I have been falling out with the people closest to me for no reason. My sex drive decreased, the headaches are so painful my vision gets blurry, and with all this, I have a child to care for. So, I’m here to warn you: pay close attention to your body. If you feel even slightly different, immediately stop taking it because it will get worse. Avoid this BC at all costs!!"

• Geh...
• May 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Lutera for about five months now. I've noticed that my mood swings have gotten terrible. I am prone to headaches, and I've gained quite a bit of weight that is nearly impossible to lose."

• Hap...
• August 27, 2020

For Birth Control "39 YO with two kids 6 and under. Not planning to have any more kids. Heavy periods with clotting and anemia. Doctor recommended birth control to lighten periods. I also wanted to stop having monthly periods. First week on Jolessa, I had headaches. Three weeks in, headaches stopped. My skin is clearer. No mood swings. I feel happy but was not prone to depression before. I did feel bloated the first two weeks, but that has gotten better by week three, drinking lots of water, exercising, and watching calories. No spotting at all. Not having a period for three months is improving my quality of life! I had lost nearly 20 lbs before the birth control. I’m not gaining-working out vigorously and counting calories, BUT I do feel like I’m hungrier, craving sweets when I normally don’t, and weight loss is slower than before. Overall, I’m loving this birth control, Jolessa. As far as fitness, it will just motivate me to work harder at working out and monitoring what I eat. I recommend giving it a try. Don’t let negative reviews deter you. I let that stop me for years and suffered."

• Jad...
• September 14, 2010

For Birth Control "I usually don't write in these forums, but after reading a few posts, I realized that I needed to share my experiences to help someone else. I'm on my 8th week of Seasonique. Of course, I started taking it because I was attracted to the 4 periods a year. The first side effect I started experiencing was headaches, backaches, and stomach cramps. It either went away, or I just got used to it. Secondly, I noticed my face breaking out along the jawline. This has been a problematic area for me before but never quite this severe. I get once-a-week facials, and there was absolutely no explanation for this. Lastly, I've had these non-stop hysterical crying episodes."

• Jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 10, 2021

For Birth Control "First time ever taking birth control, Vienva, 29-year-old. No breakouts, no weight gain, or mood swings. In the beginning, I did experience a minor headache, but as the months went on, no more headaches. No problems with nausea as well. The only thing I believe my body was still adjusting to the meds because of some brown spotting when skipping placebos, going straight to my next pack, which only happened twice in the first 2 months of using. Other than that, everything seems to be working well for me, yay. Ladies, listen to your body, otherwise, switch to other brands :)"

• Lov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I read reviews on this birth control, Vienva, after it was prescribed to me, and I was concerned already. I went through The Pill Club, and they encouraged me to take it for a short time anyway because everyone has different experiences. Many reviews said that Vienva caused them acne, and this is what I was concerned about. For about the first week of taking the pill, I got bad headaches soon after taking them, but those soon stopped. However, I took them for the recommended 3 months and began to have large, horrible acne. I am used to hormonal acne around my period, but with this birth control, my skin was getting worse and worse. I decided to stop use altogether."

• Dan...
• April 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control since I was 15. I needed another form of BC when I was taking Accutane. I stayed on it because I obviously became sexually active and didn’t want to get pregnant yet. I am now 27 and dealing with a lot of problems in my relationship. No sex drive, I have constant headaches, I am overly emotional (which I originally thought was just me), crazy mood swings before and after my cycle, depression, anxiety. I am going to stop taking it to see if my side effects go away because I don’t want my relationship to fall apart. I have gone to numerous doctors for my depression, mood swings, etc., and none of them have ever mentioned that it could be my birth control. That’s incredible to me. My one positive about Sronyx is that in the 12.5 years of taking it, I have not gotten pregnant or had any pregnancy scares."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This birth control has literally ruined the past few months of my life. Not only have I gained almost ten pounds, about a week after I started taking it, I started bleeding. I have since been bleeding, and today is day number 16. I have the worst cramps, headaches, and heavy flow that I have had in YEARS! Not only does it keep happening, I am clotting... and the blood looks horrible. I also developed a rash on my legs, and my doctor told me to keep taking it! I will absolutely NOT keep taking these pills."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I don’t remember when Kaiser changed from Levora brand of birth control pills to Portia. But I know that since I started these pills, my life has sucked. Awful weight gain, I don’t eat bad at all and exercise 3-4 times a week. I have never had bad acne, now I get it on my forehead and chin all the time?? I feel depressed, not motivated to do anything, just want to sleep. I have really bad headaches, which is another thing I never really had prior to these pills. I am changing ASAP, and please, girl, for your sake, you should too!"

• Mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I am a 27-year-old first-time oral birth control user, and I started on Levora 11 days ago. I know side effects are supposed to last for a few months, then even out, but I don't know if I can handle a few months of this! It has hit me in phases! The first phase was headaches (which I never get normally!), breasts sore beyond belief, and exhaustion. That has now shifted to hot flashes with lightheadedness, followed by anxiety and LOTS of crying! I have also been constantly nauseous. Thinking of food makes me nauseous, but I'm also starving and feel like I can't eat enough! All I can hope is that this is also a phase and it will even out, and I'll just have to tough it out. But if it doesn't ease up, I think I'll have to try a different pill."

• Rox...
• December 21, 2013

For Birth Control "I just switched to Altavera after trying other pills for the past year and suffering from weird side effects from each. I will say that for me, this has by far been the best one, and I wanted to write a review because I've seen so many bad reviews about this pill. I previously tried Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo, Yaz, and Lo Loestrin FE. I believe I have symptoms of PMDD, so I wanted a pill that will help with that. This is the end of my first month, but so far I have had no breakthrough bleeding at all, my face is slowly clearing up, and my hormones are much more even (no more sobbing over little things). My period was on time and normal for what I was experiencing prior to birth control. I did notice headaches, but so far so good! Hopefully, this helps."

• Ivy...
• March 31, 2015

For Birth Control "This has been my first form of birth control, and so far, so good! I researched reviews on this one, which freaked me out. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. I haven't had any nausea, headaches, or mood changes. I have been on it for about 2 weeks, so things could change, but I like it a lot so far. Also, the type of hormones in this pill does provide the lowest chance of more serious side effects like blood clots. This was something that was nice to know since I was so worried about those chances (even though I had no reason to be). Everyone is different, but just give it a chance! It's not as bad as you think it might be, and if it is, you can always change pills! Hope this helps those who are worried about starting BC :)"

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I came to the web to see if anyone else was experiencing what I was after taking this pill, and wow!! Ok, I'm not going crazy. Firstly, I've only been taking the pill for two weeks, and I've noticed constant bleeding, but after research, I have found that that is quite normal. So I'm OK with that. But I'm sitting here, 26 years old, with cystic acne, mood swings of a 13-year-old, constant drowsiness, weight gain, and headaches. This pill, according to my GP, was supposed to minimize pimples and stabilize my cycle. I won't be putting another pill into my body. The worst ever!"

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2012

For Birth Control "People reading and writing birth control reviews need to think carefully about how individual hormonal contraceptives are. A woman who has never been on the pill is bound to take a few months to adjust to the introduction of a new hormone. That said, I love Seasonique. I had been on Nordette for years - a low-dose combination. I always got migraines after stepping off the active pills, triggered by the pre-period hormone dip. They were horrendous, vision-impairing headaches. With Seasonique (same medication combination), I only have this dip every three months. Fantastic! Sometimes I get my 2-day headache from hell right before my period, sometimes I can avoid it. Seasonique literally keeps me from missing work due to migraines."

• Ave...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on Vienva for a full month, and I instantly noticed a severe increase in emotional sensitivity. Before taking Vienva, I was in my best mental state after overcoming depression, but starting this pill made me feel like I lost all my progress. I am constantly crying throughout the day for no reason, and I'm taking things so personally. It's very unlike me at this point to be worrying so much over things that wouldn't usually affect me and having panic attacks every night. It's unbearable. Also having pretty gnarly headaches. Switching pills ASAP - do not recommend."

• sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2020

For Birth Control "I started Vienva in September 2019. For the first month, I expected constant mood swings affecting me almost solely at night and abdominal soreness. After my first 3 weeks and skipping the placebos, I fell into a depression that was not pre-existing. This cost me personal relationships. Other symptoms included cramping, loss of appetite, headaches (not to mention 14 days of breakthrough bleeding). I didn’t get pregnant, though."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2019

For Birth Control "Do not take this birth control. A week into it, I got horrible anxiety and depression. I cried terribly for no reason, and I always felt like I was going to throw up when really it was a burp. I go to the gym almost every day and I eat super healthy, and I noticed weight gain. Nausea, headaches, sweating all the time. Do not, I repeat, do not take this birth control. It will ruin you. I’ve been the most social person my entire life, and this past week has been terrible, and all I want to do is sleep and ignore my friends. Sure, it helps with pregnancy, but it is 0% worth the intense side effects. Don’t even bother getting it, trust me."

• jvu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about 3 months now. The first month was fine. Last month, I started developing horrible boob pain and veins coursing all over them. Then I noticed spider veins on my hips and then on my butt. I have occasional leg pains. I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this? I also have headaches, occasional nausea, lacking motivation, really bad appetite changes (one day super hungry, the next day don’t want to eat), starting to feel depressed, and anxiety increasing by a ton. I just feel generally tired and am thinking of switching pills."